AAP

Many workers do not have the skills necessary to tap into artificial intelligence technology, a study has found, with just one in 10 managers confident their workforce is up to the task. 

But while the skills gap could hold some businesses back over the next two years, some employees remain resistant to adopting AI in their roles. 

Employment firm Skillsoft released the findings from a large-scale survey on Thursday, which one executive said should serve as a wake-up call for businesses banking on generative AI technology. 

The research comes days after the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed AI had become the fastest-growing field for research and development investments, and after Treasurer Jim Chalmers named the technology as a national priority. 

Skillsoft’s 2025 Global Skills Intelligence Survey questioned 1000 human resources and learning and development professionals in Australia, the US, UK and Germany. 

Just 10 per cent of the participants said they were confident the workforce had the training and skills needed to achieve business goals in the next two years, with the biggest gaps in AI, technology and leadership. 

Almost one in four (24 per cent) expressed concern generative AI technology was advancing faster than training available to master it, and and a similar number (28 per cent) said the lack of skills could prevent businesses pursuing opportunities. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently found Australian businesses had more than doubled their investment in AI, with a $668.3 million injection in the 2024 financial year, compared to $276 million in 2022. 

The federal government has yet to release rules to govern high-risk uses of the technology, and has committed to a legal analysis before proposing laws.